The former American Bible Society building (L); SOM’s new design for 1865 Broadway (R)

In the fall of 2015, the American Bible Society moved from their long-time home at Broadway and 61st Street to Philadelphia. Their Columbus Circle/Lincoln Center headquarters was built in 1965 by architects Roy O. Allen Jr. and Donald C. Smith of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, who created a 12-story Brutalist structure that was the first in the city constructed with load-bearing, pre-cast concrete exterior walls. But with the institution’s recent departure came the sale of the building at 1865 Broadway for $300 million to AvalonBay Communities. The developer returned to the original architectural firm to create a new condo-rental tower at the site, and CityRealty has now uncovered SOM‘s first official rendering of what will replace their former work, which, interestingly enough, harkens back to the Brutalist aesthetic.

Construction at the site as of yesterday, via CityRealty

The 300,000-square-foot tower will rise 33 stories and 416 feet. There’s a six-story podium with two floors of retail, as well as a 27-story slab above. A 2015 New York Times article about the original building and its future by David Dunlap notes how SOM was inspired by religious symbolism–the ladder of Jacob’s dream in the Book of Genesis–when designing the ladder-like facade. The replacement tower echoes this structurally expressive exterior with even deeper recesses (which in this case provide for private terraces) and a heavy appearance.

In total, there will be 160 residential units, a mix of condos and rentals according to preliminary filings. Above the eight story, there will be no more than four units per floor, and upper-level residences will be afforded views of Central Park and the Hudson River. The permits also indicate that amenities are set to include a fitness center and pool, game room, several lounges, roof terrace, bike parking, and tenant storage.

Demolition is nearly complete and construction is expected to wrap up by the beginning of 2019. Find future listings for 1865 Broadway here>>